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Army General to Lead Chinook Crash Investigation

By Jim GaramoneAmerican Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9, 2011  Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Colt will conduct the investigation of the crash of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter in Afghanistan that killed 38 U.S. and Afghan service members, U.S. Central Command officials announced today.

Colt, deputy commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division, will begin his duties immediately. Marine Corps Gen. James N. Mattis, the Central Command commander, appointed Colt.

Officials in Afghanistan believe a Taliban rocket-propelled grenade shot down the Chinook as it brought 25 Navy and Air Force special operations personnel to an Aug. 6 firefight in eastern Afghanistan’s Wardak province. It was the deadliest single incident in the decade-long war in the country.

Central Command officials would not discuss the parameters or scope of Colt’s investigation.

Before arriving at Fort Campbell, Ky., Colt served as commander of the Joint Unmanned Aircraft Center of Excellence in Indian Springs Airfield, Nev. Colt is an Army aviator who served with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and both 101st Airborne Division aviation brigades.

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8/10/2011 11:32:03 AM
They are calling this crash a Tet moment in the American consciousness that has moved the body politic against the Afghanistan campaign. I don't know how true that is but it's something one must consider. There appears to be a huge disconnect between the fellas in the field and the public. I'm very concerned that the fellas, in the least, be aware of these concerns if not address them some way. I just don't know...but this how I see it from where I sit. Good Luck- Stephen Real, Columbia USA